Blue October performed at Express LIVE on October 3, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. The show was scheduled to be outdoors, rain or shine. Many were surprised to discover it was moved indoors and that the performance was going to be acoustic.
The mood was definitely bright and the audience knew they were in for a treat. It felt like a lucky break to avoid the rainy weather and watch an intimate show on Sunday night.

Blue October performs acoustic set

Justin Furstenfeld entered the dimly lit stage to greet the cheers from 300 concert goers who had been longing for a Columbus date of  This Is What I Live For Tour – named after the band’s 2020 release – their 10th album.

Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October

The set started off with the song “Come in Closer,” followed by “A Quiet Mind” and “Ugly Side” plus “Say it, Hate Me,”and “Bleed Out.” In total, fans enjoyed a 2 hours and 10 minutes performance. They were also told the stories behind the songs, including an amusing account of a song written for an ex-girlfriend as a birthday gift to her, “Calling You.”

Ryan Delahoussaye of Blue October

Jeremy Furstenfeld on drums, and bassist Matt Noveskey – Blue October

Blue October in Columbus Ohio, October 2021

Justin and Jeremy, who are brothers, lost their father within the last year. Justin made a brief tribute to him, leading into the song “Fear” because he really loved that song.

Blue October in Columbus Ohio, October 2021

Next few dates of the tour are:
10/8 Brooklyn, NY
10/9 – Hartford, CT
10/10 Portland, ME
10/13 Asbury Park, NJ
10/14 Philadelphia, PA
10/15 Baltimore, MD
10/16 Stroudsburg, PA
10/17 Port Chester, NY
10/19 Asheville, NC
10/21 Nashville, TN
10/22 Knoxville, TN
10/23 North Myrtle Beach, SC
10/24 St Petersburg, FL
10/26 Lake Buena Vista, FL
Visit Blue October for more dates

Special guest Yam Haus also performed an acoustic set. The quartet was represented onstage by vocalist/guitarist Lars Pruitt in a solo performance. He displayed great charisma and was very entertaining when he made a video call to his mom, who he apparently hasn’t been calling as often as he should. He then placed the phone next to him while he sang a song he wrote for her. Mom seemed to be in her car at the time, and she watched the audience in front of him. It was a sweet and endearing gesture that made the audience smile, and they definitely will remember him for it.

Lars Pruitt – Yam Haus

 

 

Lars Pruitt’s mom – Yam Haus

All photos by Zizi Friesen